Three councillors elected for Reform UK in Castle Bromwich have resigned from Solihull Council after an ITV undercover investigation, prompting three ward by-elections. A fourth vacancy has arisen in Birmingham.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readJohn Swinney says he will work with Andy Burnham on devolving more power to Scottish regions, but rejects criticism that Holyrood is too centralised.
Staff member · 2 min readLabour’s Jane Lennie has gained the Shepshed county council seat from Reform UK by 53 votes in a closely contested Leicestershire by-election.
Daniel Whitmore · 2 min readPrime Minister Andy Burnham has invited John Swinney to work with Westminster on devolving more decision-making to Scottish regions and cities, as the SNP meets for its conference.
Staff member · 2 min readA government-appointed inspector will examine Tees Valley Combined Authority’s finances and governance, with findings expected by March 2027.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe government is considering appointing commissioners for up to three years after inspectors concluded Bedford Borough Council was failing its Best Value Duty.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readLabour has warned local Green groups that council power-sharing arrangements will end unless they reject the Green Party’s controversial “Zionism is racism” conference motion.
Staff member · 2 min readCouncils in England will have to issue a reminder and final notice before households lose the right to pay council tax in instalments under reforms due in April 2027.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readGreater Manchester Combined Authority has disclosed meetings and hospitality involving Andy Burnham and Manchester City during his mayoralty following calls for transparency.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readCouncils in England are to be given stronger powers to take over the management of privately owned homes that have stood empty for six months, down from the current two-year threshold.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readHarry Wormington has gained Cranbrook, Sissinghurst and Frittenden for the Liberal Democrats, winning 697 votes to the Conservatives' 590.
Daniel Whitmore · 1 min readElizabeth Keeling has held Wombourne North for the Conservatives in a South Staffordshire District Council by-election, winning 864 votes to Reform UK's 645.
Charlotte Mercer · 1 min readConservative Tom Bradley has won the Blockley ward by-election on Cotswold District Council with 431 votes, gaining the seat from the Greens.
Charlotte Mercer · 1 min readLabour has regained Walkley from the Green Party in a Sheffield Council by-election, with Hannah Cawley winning 53.4% of the vote just four months after Labour lost the seat.
Daniel Whitmore · 2 min readThe Conservatives have gained Wreake Valley from the Green Party in a Charnwood Borough Council by-election, with Reform UK finishing second.
Daniel Whitmore · 2 min readThe SNP has gained the Avondale and Stonehouse seat on South Lanarkshire Council after Leigh Payne was elected at stage nine, with Labour second and Reform UK third on first preferences.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Government has launched £30 million of Great British Energy funding for community-owned clean energy projects, the first wave of a programme worth up to £1 billion.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readWandsworth Council says council tax will need to rise by £958 for a Band D property in 2027/28 unless the Government changes its funding settlement, which the authority says will cut its funding by £84 million a year.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readPiddington residents have voted 285 to 26 to symbolically leave the United Kingdom in protest against plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at nearby MoD Bicester.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readRegional mayors across England are to be given powers to impose an Overnight Visitor Levy on accommodation, with money raised retained for local investment.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min read